Tag: Godaikin

My Collection – Big O, Zaku, Valkyrie, Sasuraiger, Dancougar, Dougram, Soltic, Godaikins, Raydeen, Mirage, Jazz

Here a pix of some of my collection. You will see a Sasuraiger Batrain ST from 1983, which was my first robot. There is also an alternate color in the DX form. As info, the cartoon showed the bright green color. Also of note is a Dynaman ST from 1984, a Takatoku VF1A from Macross (which I received at Christmas in 1983), along with a Dougram (received from my cousin when they went to Hong Kong in the 80’s) and a Soltic armor from the same series. I also have a loose Mirage G1 (which I understand was never re-issued due to the molds no longer existing/lost) and Wheeljack G1.

My Collection – Leopardon, Soundblaster, Battle Fever J, Gundam RX-78, Laserion ST, Bioman ST, Dynaman ST, Raydeen, Mirage, Jazz

Here is the Vavilos ST. I really don’t know why, but the ST versions of these robots are often better than the DX versions. This is definitely the case in this robot. Vavilos is from the live action ‘tokusatsu’ show Space Sheriff Shaider. So think Power Rangers.

Vavilos does not have a great design. I definitely would have liked a little more detail on the head and maybe if it was a little bigger it would feel right. But the head is more proportionate, than say the arms which are a little puny and insignificant. It is like a Tyrannosaurus Rex, big body, teeny weeny arms. Oh well, if T-Rex can kick ass, then maybe Vavilos wouldn’t get the crap kicked out of him. The robot transforms from a space ship to a robot and giant gun as well, in this case I prefer the V Spaceship form. He comes with 6 yellow missiles which shoot out of the chest. The build of the legs remind me of the Dyna Robo, Goggle Robo or Change robo. The main body of the robot is just blocky, Seems like the transformations were more important in the design than the actual robot.

That being said, I like having both the DX and ST Vavilos. It fills out my Godaikin collection which is my favorite line of 80’s robots. Though if I had to be more specific, I have a big soft spot for the Popy ST line. Check out the Vavilos DX!

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Space Sheriff Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Space Sheriff Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Here are a few fun videos from the tv show Space Sheriff Shaider!!!

I recently added Vavilos in the Bandai Godaikin packaging which is nice. So now I have some missiles to test out! I swear that is about my favorite part.

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

I always thought this was an ST version of Daidenjin, but I stand corrected. It is the Daidenjin DX version. That’s why it comes with all the cool stuff and it actually transforms into a space ship. I don’t think any of the ST’s tranform. So it’s not the GB-15. This is a good heavy piece chock full of die cast metal and it has a nice build, but I can’t say I like the big D on his chest. Most of the parts are very square or rectangular, so the designers hardly used any imagination when making this guy as a robot. But the design is light years better than say Sun Vulcan. The transformation is not great but at least it does more than my old Shogun Warriors did.

I noticed these robots remind me of the my old Shogun Warriors from the 70’s. Now I know why. They were made by the same company. Originally the Shogun Warriors were issued as Popy Super Robots in the GA series. So the reason the design, die cast metal heft, and shooting fists(don’t Daidenjin’s fists look like Daltanias DX large fists?) were all so familiar is that they came from the same company. This one was issued in the Popy GB series.

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from tokusatsu show Denshi Sentai Denziman 1980-1981

When transformed it becomes Denjin the space port. The robot hails from the Denshi Sentai Denziman TV series 13 years before the Power Rangers ever made it out here. Nope, never watched it, but I like the robot. I don’t really have the space to display my robots, but this site works out well as a virtual display case.

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from live action show Electronic Squadron Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from tokusatsu show Denshi Sentai Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from live action show Electronic Squadron Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from tokusatsu show Denshi Sentai Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from live action show Electronic Squadron Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984

Think this is a reissue of the original Popy GC 28 which has a red shield. The five Super Sentai guys pictured on the cover kinda look like cops. They are from Dengeki Sentai Changeman. Even though I am not a fan of Super Sentai, I still like the robots. Change Robo is one of them. I try to only collect the 70’s and 80’s chogokin robots. I couldn’t fit the sword in the fist because it was so tight, but it was fun shooting the head off. The fists do not shoot off with much zing and the robot is a little light in die cast metal, but I really like this ST robot which fits in well with my Godaikin collection, but the DX robot looks really good too. My copy is missing the 5 little plastic Changeman Sentai figures.

Plastic Changeman figures from the Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

The DX robot came out as a late release Godaikin in 1985 or 1986. Change Robo is pretty rare as Godaikins go. I have only seen him a few times on auction and lost every time. The ST is a Popy robot as it has the Popy label, though I did not know it at the time I purchased it. So it’s one of the only  two Popy robots I have.

The robot’s design reminds me a lot of Goggle V robot. It is a simple but solid design, that you can change into a decent looking jet, car and helicopter(the Jetchanger, Helichanger, and Landchanger). The only real difference between Goggle V and Change Robo is in color scheme. A few tweaks to the design & color and you would have Goggle Five which is a good thing. It is a lot like the Generation 1 Transformers that all used the same molds like Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Prowl . If I ever display these two, I would have to put them right next to each other.

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

Change Robo and accessories. Lightning Sword, Change Shield, propeller and head missile

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai instructions

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985 from tv show (電撃戦隊チェンジマン Dengeki Sentai Chenjiman) 1985-1986

Change Robo (チェンジロボ Chenji Robo) GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

Change Robo(チェンジロボ Chenji Robo) GC-28 robot toy by Popy Bandai 1985 from Super Sentai tv show 電撃戦隊チェンジマン Dengeki Sentai Chenjiman 1985-1986

First thing I noticed about Daitetsujin 17 is that it is so heavy. A majority of this robot is metal  which is awesome. You can see it in the pictures. Daitetsujin 17 ‘s a pretty cool robot, not so good as a flying fortress. After watching the movie, I actually prefer the toy robot to the one in the show. I tried shooting the fists and the stomach missile and they got some pow going 5 feet. I have all the parts and it looks mint. I would have transformed it if I wanted too. But it didn’t look like it was worth the time. I like the blue and red color scheme and overall it is a nice looking robot. My only beef with this robot is that they could have made the arms a little more proportional to the body.

I really don’t have that many Godaikins to go to complete my collection. Too bad the last ones I need are so expensive. This robot hails from a live action “tokusatsu” show like Godzilla and Ultraman in 1977 all its cheesy goodness. Watching the intro seems amusing enough. I listened to the movie below and occasionally watched while I was writing this post.

The movie Daitetsujin 17(大鉄人17)below appears to be a dubbed movie. The dub is so funny! OMG. The narration seems like something from Rocky and Bullwinkle. You should definitely watch this! Enjoy.

The open chest compartment and shooting chest missile.

The foot compartments and robot legs.

Daitetsujin 17 GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka DX GA-81 1977 by Popy

Back view of robot and wings

Daitetsujin 17 GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Daitetsujin 17 DX GA-81 1977 by Popy

Daitetsujin 17 GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Daitetsujin 17 DX GA-81 1977 by Popy

Popy gave these to us first as Golion GB-35 in 1981. This is the iconic robot from the 80’s. I don’t have anything bad to say about this robot. Golion has a great design and is a great ST version with the sword and shield.

I have the Voltron version. I wish the Voltron versions had a sword. The DX and ST Voltron from Matchbox and do not have the sword or any of the Golion accessories and I have both. Guess I know what I will do if I ever get a 3D printer. I did not realize this one had never been opened. The tape and tie to hold it to the styrofoam are still there. Guess it’s opened once now, but as mint as it will ever be. Seems like the legs and the chest are die cast metal(only the head and arms are plastic) so it’s a pretty heavy robot likely making this one from its Chogokin line or roughly translated Super Alloy. If you notice, I mention that a lot. I am a fan of the old toys they made with metal. They seem more sturdy and substantial, like American cars from the 70’s. My little cousin clocked me in the head with an old metal Tonka truck I had and that one time, I wish it was plastic.

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 from cartoon Voltron Defender of the Universe 1984-1985

The American version of the cartoon for this robot was pretty lame, but I can only say I liked a few robot anime. Getta Robo, Dangard Ace, Gaiking, especially Macross and Gundam. Not the American versions. Hate Matchbox for depriving us of swords for Voltron, bastards.

Anyway checked out a couple of the original Japanese Golion episodes and it was a much better. Seems like they made a lot of changes to the plot and removed the violence.

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 Lion Instructions Super Alloy or Chogokin

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 from cartoon Voltron Defender of the Universe 1984-1985

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 from cartoon Voltron Defender of the Universe 1984-1985

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 from cartoon Voltron Defender of the Universe 1984-1985

I heard the anime for GoLion was edited for violence, so I am definitely watching the Japanese version. Enjoy!

Voltron is one of the robots that started it all for me. Where we fell in love with our big metal robots. The Golion DX as a Godaikin is the one my cousin Dave had. It came with a huge amount of accessories, like most DX Popy robots. Damn Matchbox for not providing Voltron with his sword. Voltron was all about his sword in the cartoon. Man, that is one terrible cartoon, ain’t it? And the dubs are terrible too. I wish I could unwatch those. Maybe if I watch them in Japanese they will be better. Hmmmm…

Matchbox Voltron III Defender of the Universe The Deluxe Lion Set

Anyway I have a lotta love for this robot. This robot has 5 lions that tranform into one of the best robots out there. Even the lions forms are excellent. I will have to pop him into robot form later for this post. This robot has been very popular over the years, so there have been a lot of releases. Lets see, Popy, Bandai America, Matchbox, Trendmasters, and now Toynami. I figure they will release it again within the next few years, so maybe I can try picking up a new one with all the accessories or even the Lionbot set made from the original molds(but vastly inferior paint applications!).

Matchbox Voltron III The Deluxe Lion Set from the anime Voltron: Defender of the Universe tv show from 1984-1985

Matchbox Voltron III The Deluxe Lion Set from the anime Voltron: Defender of the Universe tv show from 1984-1985.

See that styrofoam? Not a single accessory! The Popy and Godaikin versions had the full arsenal of missile launchers, daggers and a huge sword! I picked up Voltron III as an adult and I was really disappointed in the castrated Matchbox Voltron.

Matchbox Voltron III The Deluxe Lion Set from the anime Voltron: Defender of the Universe tv show from 1984-1985

I gotta admit there is a bit more violence in the Beast King GoLion, than in Voltron. The story works a little better and I am actually enjoying the first episode. Checkout the anime tv show from 1981-1982.